Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-09-19

Win Tue hfOnu SitlSidclluu Oh KNOWING UlaI
for three days they had entertained the hun
ireds of thousands who had been their guests
including the most prominent men of the
nation-with not an accident to mar the
ioyous occasion
The only public events were the presi-
dents reception in the morning. and exer-
cises commemorative of the adoption of the
Constitution in Independence square where
an Immense multitude was assembled. Presi-
deut CIeveland's time WAS fully occupied
all the day. In the morning he held a
public reception from to 1880 O'Clock at
the city hall, going directly from there to
the commemorative celebration i'll Independ-
ence square At the reception the people
filed past the president in a steady stream
for an hour and a half There was great
jam, but the best Of humor prevailed and
there the usual amusing incidents-ex-
cited women insisting on shaking hands with
every body within reach. Secretaries Bay
ard and Fairchild stood TO the left of the
president and attracted considerable atten-
ton. One enthusiastic citizen grasped the
presidents hand, and giving it hearty shake
thrilled the assemhlage with the greet
ing "GrOver, old boy, how do you
dor The president received this rather
demonstrative display of free speech with
broad smile, and passed the man on with
word of good fellowship This incident,
however, was but a ripple compared with
what almost immediately followed, and
which for once upset even the presidents re-
markabe equanimIty. A woman with
market basket, red hair. and a determined
face approached the group At the moment
the presidents face turned toward one of
the passing throng the woman walked up and
saluted the chief magistrate full on the lips
with kiss. The president stepped back in
amazement and threw up both hands, and
rnurmur of mingled astonishment and amuse-
ment filled the room President Cleveland
however almost at once recovered himself
and without even glance at the audaciuus
woman resumed his Misunderstanding.
From here the president and Mrs Cleve-
land we're driven to the great stand in indie
pendance square where the principal public
exercises of the day were TO be held. A
great cheer arose when the executive and
wife came in sight, which was continued as
the president with Mr.. Kasson and Mrs.
Cleveland with Mr. Thompson assembled to
the central places assigned to them, where
were assembled 10 000 people, representatives
of every condition in life of the nation
Bishops, statesmen, professional men and other
citizens surrounded the chief executive
Close to his seat stood the chair occupied by
George Washington loo years ago; placed in
conspicuous positions were Photographic
copies Of the charter of our liberties the
adoption Of which the country had been three
days celebrating. while on either band sat
the representatives of all the great nations Of
the earth. A chorus of 1000 children and
900 men were present TO sing the glOries of
the young republic; and stretching away on
all sides was dense multitude-a sea of
heads-from which proceeded roar of well
come like the meeting of many waters
The first act of the proceedings was
PRAYER by Bishop Potter, then Mr. Kasson
delivered a historical address. reciting the
events leading up to the adoption Of the con
stitution, the difficulties met with in secur-
ing its adoption and its results upon the ua-
TONS welfare The president then arose.
He began with an expression of qualification
that he had been able to participate in this
anniversary and said that every American
should join in rejoicing on this centennial
because the adoption of the constitution was
the establishment of free government. He
spoke of the difficulties of the work OF adop-
ton, of the many conflicting opinions and
interests that had to be harmonized, and of
the almost despair of some of those who were
giving heart and brain to ths work of solidi-
flying the government. He quoted one of the
delegates TO that first constitutional cOnven-
ton as saying, when the adoption was an ae-
complished fact, referring to a picture of
sun painted on the back of the presiding off
,or,e abair- NJ ha va nftap and nftan in ho
course of the session and in the solicitude of
nv hopes and fears as to its issue, looked at
that behind the president without being able
to tell whether it was rising or setting But
now at length know that it is a rising and
not a setting sun, and concluded as follows:
We stand to-day on the spot where this rising
SIM emerged from political night and darkness,
and in its own bright meridian light we mark its
glorious WAY Clouds have sometimes obscured
its rays and dreadful storms have made us fear,
hut God has held it In its course and through its
life-giving warmth has performed his latest mir
acle in the creation of this wOndrons land and
people As we look down that past century to
the origin Of the constitution; as contemplate
its trials and its triumphs; as we realize how
completely the prinaiples upon which it is based
have met every national need, how devoutly
should we confess with Franklin; God governs
be tb, reflection that to our hands Is committed
this ark Of the peoples covenant and that ours
Is the duty to shield 1t from tmpious hands. We
receive it sealed with the tests OF a century IL
has been found sufficient In the past, and in all
the future years 1t will be found sufficient If the
American people are true to their sacred trust
Another centennial day will come, and millions
yet unborn will inquire concerning our steward
ship and the safety of their constitution. GOD
sd and
as we rejoice in the patriotism and devotion oil
those who lived 100 years ago, so may others who
follow us rejoice in our fidelity and in our Jealous
love for constitutional liberty.
During the presidents speech the old
liberty bell rang out the hour OF IL o'clock
and the round of cheers which replied COM
PEELED Mr. Cleveland to pause for moment
just before he began the chorus sang the
appeal to the Truth" At the conclusion of
the presidents address the multitude broke
forth in loud cheer, and when silence wa.
obtained again Justice Miller, Of
the United States supreme court
stepped forward and delivered the
memorial grafton. This was scholarly
and eloquent review of the work Of the con
stitutional convention. The orator held the
vast concourse for an hour and ten minutes
with rapt attention.
A national anthem, composed for the occa
sion by F. Marion Crawford, was then re
cited by Professor Murdoch with chorus Of
| 200 mems voices The first verse is as fol
| lows:
| Hail freedom, thy bright crest
And cleaning shield, thrice blest;
| Mirror the glores of a world thine own.
Hail heaven born peace our sight,
| Led by thy gentle light
| Shows us thy paths with deafness flowers
strewn
| Peace daughter Of strife sublime,
Abide with us till strife be lost in endless time
Chorus-thy sun is risen and shall not set
| Upon thy day divine;
| Ages of unborn ages yet,
America thine.
"A prayer by Archbishop Gibbons, the ben
sS.aa oy hev. Jere Witherspoon and tn
: osn sPahgied Banner" by the Marine ham
! ended these ceremonies To the 1n,s;,, - :,
marcn the president and Mrs. Cleveland al